Saturday, April 30, 2011

Common User Terminal expansion completed

Brisbane’s Domestic Terminal gets a face-lift

29/04/2011

Brisbane Airport’s upgraded and expanded Common User Satellite at the Domestic Terminal was officially opened today by Acting Prime Minister and Treasurer, Wayne Swan.

The expansion to the Common User Satellite (mainly used by Jetstar, Tiger Airways and regional airlines) has seen: an increase in the number of passenger gate lounges in this area from two to seven; two additional aircraft parking bays, bringing the total to seven; new food and beverage facilities close to the new passenger lounges; new modern and comfortable furniture in waiting areas; improved energy efficiency of the satellite building, and space for airline offices.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and Managing Director Julieanne Alroe, said that the Common User Satellite upgrade was highly anticipated, and the first stage in an overall upgrade of the whole Domestic Terminal Precinct.

“With over 14 million passengers flying through the Domestic Terminal last year, in comparison to the 740,000 passengers flying through in 1988 when the terminal was first built, an expansion and upgrade has been much anticipated, and we are pleased to be able to deliver the first stage of the upgrade today with the Common User Satellite,” she said.

“Both Virgin and Qantas are also completing upgrades to their own sections of the terminal, and with a combined effort I believe we will be well-prepared to meet the demands of this future passenger growth. With growth continuing and 33 million domestic annual passengers forecast for 2029, it is necessary to expand in order to cater for demand,” she said.

Despite the tumultuous start to the year, Brisbane Airport managed to achieve growth in the domestic market with passengers up 5% over March.

Ms Alroe said the growth was encouraging considering the impact of the flood crisis.

“While the domestic market growth over the past couple of months has not been as substantial as July through December statistics, we are encouraged by the numbers which show the strength and resilience of Queensland as a region for tourism and business,” Ms Alroe said.

The next stages of the Domestic Terminal Upgrade will see a new multi-level car park open, upgrades to the Domestic Terminal road network, and an elevated walkway built over the roads, enabling people to walk from the car parks to the terminal without having to cross in front of vehicles.

Ms Alroe said BAC is building a new nine-level, 5,300 bay multi-level car park, which is due to be operational in the second half of 2011. Together with the existing multi-level car park, the new car park will bring the total number of bays at the Domestic Terminal to over 9,000.

“We want to make parking at the Domestic Terminal easier so the car park will be fitted with the latest smart parking technology, making it easy to find the closest available parking space, and will feature speed ramps to upper levels and connections to the existing car park,” she said.

Work has also started on the Domestic Terminal Access Project – an undercover elevated walkway that will connect from the new car park to the terminal face.

The elevated walkway will pass over the terminal road system and will include lifts, travelators and escalators to take patrons to ground immediately outside the Domestic Terminal. The walkway will also provide easy pedestrian access to Airtrain.

“The beauty of the elevated walkway design is that it will separate pedestrians from cars creating a safer passage for passengers, while also reducing traffic congestion on the terminal road system,” Ms Alroe said.